Successful Performance By Levin Playreaders

Chronicle (Levin), 7 May 1948, Page 4

Successful Performance By Levin Playreaders

When the Levin Playreaders selected for Wednesday night's pres- ■ entation Terrence Rattigons popu-i, iar comedy "When the Sun Shmes, ' they set themselves no mean task. | Incorporating persons of tnree nationalities, the play at once presents a host of production difficulties, and the manner in which these were overcome was a compiiment to the producer, Mrs. C. H. Rathbone, and the cast. Despite wintry condifcions, tne College assembly hall was practically filled and the play; was thoroughly enjoyed' by all present. | "Whrle the Sun Shinps ' tells of complications that arise when the Earl of Harpenden, an ordmary seaman in the Royal Navy, $hares his private ehambers in Alhany, London, with a member of the Free French Forces and the American Air Corps. ' _ . . While accepting -their hosts hospitality; the American and Frenchman, the former at nrst unwittingly, and the latter as part of a planned compaign, both make. love to his. fiancee, Lady Elizabeth Randall, a, British WAAF. Some most amusing incidents occur during this by-play, a climax heing reached when all three suitors engage in a game of crap to decide Who will woo the maiden who, under such high pressure advances, is herself uncertain as to which' of tShe three is the real thing. All ends happily, however, with Elizabeth returning to her fiance, and the French and American suitors engaging in a spirited game of crap to decide which of them will ! best man at the wedding. The cast generally' was strong, jbut special mention is due to Mrs. E. Hunt for her outstanding I characterisation gf Mabel Crum the "other woman" in the life oi the Earl.

Mr. Horace Baumber was well tjuited to his part as Lady Eliza- • beth's father, the Duke of Ayr and: Stirling. Miss Ruth Williams, as Lady Elizabeth, was also a good seiection. Her acting was at times brilliant. As the American lieutenant, Mr. Gordon Sorenson had a difficult part, particularly in maintaining an American accent. Though slow to ge.t going, he warmed up to the part, particularly during the latter stages, when he excelled himself. Another difficult part was that taken by Mr. A. Hercus, as the iFrench lieutenant. As in the case 'of the American, his part entailed tthe eontinued use of an accent, an infinitely more difficult one. Naturally, 'reading from the script hampered his style, but"niore liberal use of his arms and hands when speaking might have made ,his role even more successful.

Mr. A. Couzens, as Horton the butler, was excellent during his appearances on the set, Nvhich were more frequent than is ,;usual for such ' a part r vHis • *beari:ffg» > and delivery were maintained at a high level throughout. The stage furnishings, some of which were kindly lent by MeSsrs. Kingsway, Ltd,, were well laid out, with the exceptiop perhaps of a small table placed behind the couch, Athough obviously necessary during the first act, it was inclined to be over used, upsetting the balance of the room. Another table, which could have been used to better effect, was neglected. The furnishings were slightly overdone. In this regard, however, allowances must be made for the size of the st'age, which is considerably sm*ller than that used in the or gind production. On the-whole, the play . was well acted and excellently produced. It is to the Levin Playreaders' credit that they have taken playreading a step further by giving attention to the exact layout of the stage, the dress, of the various readers and placing of as much emphasis as possible on acting as well' as reading the script. The result is as near to a production as possible, and consequently attracts the audiences. It has been suggested that the Levin Playreaders stage a fullScale production this year, and this will be discussed in the near future, The performanees to date have certamly revealed some outstanding talent, and should a production be staged there should be nc lack of first class material from which to draw.